Insomnia may result from either psychological or physical causes.
• The most common psychological problems include anxiety, stress, and depression. In effect, insomnia may be an indicator of depression. Lots of people will have insomnia during the acute phases of a mental illness.
• Physiological causes span from circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-wake imbalance, to a variety of medical conditions. 
Next are the most common medical conditions that trigger insomnia:
o Chronic pain syndromes
o Congestive heart failure
o Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
o Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer disease (Often insomnia is the deciding factor for nursing home placement.)
• Certain groups are at higher risk for developing insomnia:
o Travelers
o Shift workers
o Seniors
o Adolescent or young adult students
o People with chronic pain, cardiopulmonary disease
o Pregnant women
o Women in menopause
• Certain medications have been associated with insomnia. Among some of them are certain over-the-counter cold and asthma preparations.
o The prescription varieties of these medications may also contain stimulants and thus produce similar effects on sleep.
o Medications for high blood pressure have also been associated with poor sleep.
• Common stimulants associated with poor sleep include caffeine and nicotine. Consider not only restricting caffeine use in the hours immediately before bedtime but also limiting your total daily intake.
• People often use alcohol to help induce sleep, as a nightcap. But, it is a poor choice.
Alcohol is connected to sleep disruption and creates a sense of nonrefreshed sleep in the morning.
• A disruptive bed partner with loud snoring or periodic leg movements also may impair your ability to get a good night's sleep
| 
